The West Thebarton Hotel Closing Its Doors in Less Than a Week
Another of Adelaide’s great watering holes is being closed due to progress.
Image via @westthebartonhotel (Facebook)
The iconic West Thebarton Hotel is the latest in a long line of South Australian pubs forced to close its doors due to the state’s desire for progress.
The heritage-listed watering hole and live music venue is being destroyed to make way for the North-South Corridor upgrade.
As reported by The Advertiser, the West Thebby was given until mid-July to cease operations so the $15.4 billion River Torrens to Darlington Project could go ahead.
The project aims to minimise traffic on South Road, with the West Thebby just one of several businesses that have become unfortunate casualties of the upgrade.
Although the publicans were given until mid-July, they have chosen to shut up shop in less than a week, with the final day of trading at the West Thebarton Hotel taking place Monday, March 10.
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Constructed in the 1800s, the West Thebby Hotel was given a makeover sometime in the 1940s-50s, giving the pub its iconic Art Deco look. Although the pub was awarded local heritage status in the 90s, that’s not enough to stop it from being bulldozed.
The pub was also a big supporter of local music and has a rich history as a live music venue, with everyone from Jimmy Barnes to emerging local acts performing at the West Thebby over the years.
The Advertiser interviewed West Thebarton Hotel owner Arthur Balayannis about the closure, and while disappointed, he and the crew understand the reasoning for the development of South Road.
“It's beyond our control, and of course we're disappointed,” Mr Balayannis told the Tiser.
“However, it's a situation which is a part of progress, and it's for the greater good.”
The West Thebarton Hotel calls last drinks on Monday, March 10 at 6:00pm. Get down for one more pint before this piece of SA history is gone forever.
